Kantarovski was presented the Rising Star and Player of the Year awards after a tremendous rookie A-League season.

The 17-year-old was one of the few shining lights in a miserable season for Newcastle as the champions meekly surrendered their title.

Van Egmond told the Herald: "If we look at the season as a whole, he was the most consistent player.

"He is not unlike some of the better ones [in Australia] who have gone on to do really well.

"He reminds a number of us of similar but not exactly the same the likes of Zelic, Okon, even a young Ljubo Milicevic. They seem to have time on the ball and know the game well very early."

Kantarovski was not the only winner however.

Tarek Elrich was named players' player while Matt Thompson took out the members' player of the year.

The Jets were back in action today with a trial game against Edgeworth at the club's training ground.